The South Wales DA is always on hand to offer assistance or advice. As we often encounter similar queries, we have developed this webpage to address these questions and provide further guidance from our fantastic SWDA committee!

How to find SWDA:

At South Wales DA, we have distinctive SWDA signs that will be displayed at all our gatherings. These signs ensure that all our campers can easily locate our site. So, when you visit us, be sure to look out for our signs!

Additionally, we have our SWDA Stewards flag, so upon arrival at the site, be sure to look for this flag. Check in with the stewards so they can register your arrival and guide you to your pitch.

Frequently asked questions …

Do I need to book?

• Usually, booking is not required for most of our regular weekends and Temporary Holiday Sites (THS’s). However, there are a few exceptions for themed events, or at times where pitch numbers are limited, where we need to know attendance numbers in advance, such as when food is provided or a band/singer is scheduled to perform. Details for these events will be posted on our website and Facebook page.

Can we use our barbeque?

• Usually yes, but it is advisable to assume that barbecues should be elevated on legs and not placed directly on the ground. Certain locations may permit only gas or electric barbecues; the steward can provide information on this. For the safety of all, it is essential to adhere to any local restrictions or bans that may be implemented at any time.

Does this site have electric hookups?

• While most of the sites we use don’t provide electric hookup (EHU), we always clearly indicate when EHU is available on our Sites List, which can be found on this website and our Facebook page.

Will there be showers and toilets on site?

• We try to arrange most of our sites as greenfield sites, which usually do not have showers or toilets. However, when we camp near commercial sites that do have toilet facilities, we make sure to mention this in the meet description on our website and Facebook pages, along with any other available facilities. You will find that we try to book sites with Electric hookup and hardstandings at the start of the year.
• Running water suitable for drinking and cooking is always available, as well as an Elsan point for toilet waste disposal.

Can I take my dog?

• Dogs and other pets are very welcome; however, please make sure to keep your dog on a lead at all times while on site and clean up after them.

If I encounter a problem while I am camping who can I speak to?

• Your initial point of contact ought to be the site steward, typically located near the entrance of the camping field. All members must report to them upon arrival, or to any available committee member.

What does “PUN” actually mean?

• “PUN” stands for Per Unit per Night, indicating that the listed price covers your plot. This means you can set up a caravan for adults and also pitch a pup tent for children on the same plot without additional cost, provided you do not encroach on your neighbour’s space. There is no fee for animals, but it’s important to keep dogs on a lead at all times while on-site.

How much is it going to cost me?

• The price per unit per night is listed in the Sites List, which also includes the cost for pup tents. P.S. Remember to bring some change for the raffle! 🙂

Guidance for meets and temporary holiday sites …

The following guidance is issued by the Exempted Camping Committee to assist Regions, District Associations and Sections in the stewarding of Meets and THSs (events) organised for use by members.

• One named person, the Steward, is to be responsible overall for the conduct and safety of every event. Campers must not arrive prior to, or leave after, the advertised start and end dates, and must not occupy the site in the absence of a properly appointed Steward.
•  All vehicles must be restricted to 5 mph on the event field, and learner drivers are not allowed. Vehicle movement between 11pm and 7am is not permitted, unless in exceptional circumstances and with the permission of the Steward. Vehicles must be parked at right angles to any slope.

• Excluding guy ropes, units must be at least six metres apart from adjacent units. This is a precaution against fire. Vehicles may be parked between units, provided that a three metre clear space is left within the six metre gap at all times.
• Children’s pup tents can be classed as an integral part of a unit, in the same way as an awning, when they are occupied by children and when no appliance with a naked flame is used in or close to them. This means that a child’s pup tent can be pitched close to the parents unit.
• Stewards may instruct campers to take down their awnings, gazebos and windbreaks on safety grounds, should it be deemed necessary.
• Open fires are not generally allowed, except with the permission of the Steward and landowner, and in a mutually agreed location.
• The use of barbeques should also be agreed with the Steward and be sited well away from tents, awnings and other units.
• It is strongly recommended that all units carry a suitable BS/EN3 approved fire extinguisher or fire blanket, and that everyone should be aware of how to use the one they have.
• It is strongly recommended that a bucket of water should be placed outside each camping unit, as a necessary near-to-hand firefighting tool.
• The use of gas cylinders, with a capacity greater than 15kg, are not permitted at Club events for supplying touring caravans, motorhomes or tents.
• The use of gas cylinders to supply a camping unit via an external barbeque supply point is not permitted.
• The use of Sky Lanterns or similar is not permitted onsite.

General Behaviour…

• Respect should be shown to the landowner’s property, particularly trees, fences, buildings, equipment and stock.
• Dogs and other pets must be kept under control at all times. No animal is allowed to be loose on the site, and must always be on a lead not more than two metres long, if outside a unit.
• The Steward may instruct any camper to remove their pet from the site if, in his or her opinion, it creates a nuisance.
• It is forbidden to fly kites or model aircraft, including Drones at events. The use of catapults, airguns, firearms, bows and arrows or similar equipment is also not permitted. Ball games are acceptable only with permission of the Steward on an open space away from units.
• Each pitch must be left clear of litter at the end of the event and a careful check should be made, before leaving the field, that no litter has been left behind.
• Noise should be kept at a minimum from radios, televisions and other sources, such as generators, and there should be no noise whatsoever between 11pm and 7am, except as defined in paragraph 28 of this Green Paper.
• Campers may only use generators with the Steward’s permission. If a Steward considers the use of a generator to be causing a nuisance, then he or she may ask the camper to stop using the generator or leave the site.
• In circumstances where a camper requires the operation of a generator during the night for medical purposes, this should be accommodated in such a way to prevent disturbance of other campers
• The Club considers the use of e-cigarettes the same as cigarettes and as such, all legal requirements should be adhered to in their use during a camping event.
• When the camping ground is wet, cars may only be driven on the event field at the Stewards discretion, to prevent damage to the ground.

Waste Water / Grey Water…

• Members must collect waste water in a receptacle, and should not allow it to overflow and foul the ground.
• Chemically Treated Sewage / Black Water
• The contents of chemical toilets must not be disposed of on the event site except into the disposal point agreed with the landowner.
• There must be a clear differentiation between drinking water taps and water supplied for cleansing chemical toilet cassettes. The two uses must never overlap. Chemical toilet cassettes must not be cleaned or charged at drinking water taps.
• It is recommended that event participants, who use their own chemical toilets, ensure that they are properly charged with one of the biologically based toilet fluids.

Refuse / Dry Waste…

• Members attending Meets must take their refuse home with them if receptacles are not provided. Refuse receptacles must be provided at THSs and members should not be expected to take their dry-waste away with them.

Vehicle Maintenance…

• Essential repairs to vehicles may be carried out so that an unserviceable vehicle can leave the site, but maintenance and servicing are not permitted.
• Stewards may use discretion to allow vehicle and unit washing, provided it can be done discreetly, away from campable ground and with suitable drainage.

Trading…

• Trading is not permitted at Meets or THSs, unless authorised by the Steward. Touting and commercial advertising are forbidden. Campers must not advertise services or goods for sale at events, except with the permission of the Steward. Notices may not be displayed on a unit, advertising anything whatsoever. A firm’s car or van, which has the firm’s name and description on the sides, is acceptable.